|
In our latest ‘Places to Visit this Christmas Season’ series entry, we visited Chester, CT! Chester is a small town in Middlsex County, slightly north of Old Saybrook. This town is completely decked out in Christmas decor! This small town is home to many small business including Montgomery and Taggert Bookshop, The Wayfinder Society, The Little Shop, and many more. Find cute curiosities to give as stocking stuffers! Shop in for a meal at their amazing selection of eateries including River Tavern, Grano Italian Eatery, The Villager, Pattaconk1850 BAR & GRILL and many others. Stop in for a beer at Little House Brewing Company or a cone at Honeycone Cream Co. Stop in and spend some time in the Hallmark-esque Christmas village of Chester, CT!
0 Comments
A new coffee shop has opened in Middletown!
MOTW Coffee & Pastries is NOW OPEN at 425 Main Street in Middletown, the former Saladbar restaurant next to Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore. The coffee shop features specialty espresso coffee including lattes, cappuccino, Americano, Cortado; as well as Matcha and Hot Teas. The cafe serves empanadas including chicken, beef, spinach, and samosa fillings. The menu also includes milk-cakes, muffins, cookies, cakes, and more. MOTW stands for 'Muslims Of The World', the menu has a Middle Eastern influence including Yemeni Chai, Egyptian Teas, Jasmine Pearls, Baklava, Burma dessert, Halal Empanadas, and other offerings. The family-owned chain currently has 13 locations. They have a lone CT location at 296 Crown Street in New Haven that opened in 2024 and another coming soon in New Britain at The Highrailer. 
A new Jamaican restaurant is coming soon to Windsor!
Mocho Bay is coming soon to 540 Windsor Avenue in Windsor; part of Windsor Shops Shopping Plaza. The restaurant will be an upscale sit-down eatery with a liquor license. The restaurant was previously planned to open in East Hartford as a fast-casual eatery; but has now pivoted to a sit-down model with a new location in Windsor. The restaurant will be owned by Michelle Taylor. Taylor previously owned and operated Michelle's Kitchen in East Hartford and Secret's Bistro in Manchester & Hartford. The name of the new restaurant is a mix of the owner's hometown Mocho and her husband's hometown Mobay. Mocho Bay will join other recent additions to the Windsor dining scene including Don's Kitchen, Mr.Tso, Moneta Moments Bakery (new storefront), Station 1633, Tulsi , and soon-to-open The BOP Coffee Roastery! 
Photo Credit: True Commercial Real Estate
A new ShopRite store is coming to Danbury!
ShopRite will open a second Danbury store at 72 Newtown Road, the former Stop & Shop store at Nutmeg Square Shopping Center. The mayor of Danbury made the announcement yesterday. Cingari Family Markets will own the new store. The Cingari’s own 10 ShopRite grocery stores and 2 Grade A Markets; including the other Danbury ShopRite location. They are expected to invest $20 million to renovate and open the new store. The new store will be 54,000 square feet. Stop & Shop previously operated a store in the space until October 2024 when it closed along with dozens of other locations. Ciao Cafe, an Italian-American eatery, is NOW OPEN in Rocky Hill! Ciao Cafe opened today at 825 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill, the former Michel Angelo’s space. Stop by today for a special visit from Vito Spatafore from The Sopranos who is signing cookbooks and taking photos! The new restaurant features New York style pizza & slices, an espresso bar, Italian-style grinders, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, dirty sodas, desserts, and much more! They serve breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. Don’t miss their selection of Italian imports as well! The interior has received an intensive makeover; with a dining area and lounge for customer to enjoy their food. The bar has been replaced with ‘The Office’ a space for people to bring their laptop and work while enjoying their food. The new restaurant is owned by Rocky Hill residents Marina & Vincent Carone. The Carones are no stranger to Rocky Hill business; Vincent was previously involved in Sweets by Jenna, Cousins Barbershop, Tavern on 3, and others. Find them at 825 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill or online at https://ciaocafect.com Their hours are: Monday through Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8am–2pm A new coffee shop is coming soon to Somers! Roasted Beanery is coming to Somers Crossing, 95 South Road in Somers. The new cafe will open next to Board & Brush, in the plaza home to Geissler’s. At Roasted Beanery, coffee is more than a beverage—it’s a craft, a ritual, and a moment of connection. They are dedicated to elevating every detail, from sourcing the finest beans to perfecting each pour. Excellence is not just their standard; it’s their passion. Construction is underway with furniture and equipment being installed. Look for them to open very soon! A new comic book and collectible store is opening soon in Naugatuck!
Salem Comics & Collectibles is coming soon to 78 Church Street in Naugatuck! The new store plans to open their doors on Friday, December 19th. The store will open with comic books including collectible editions, newer releases, and much more. Salem Comics & Collectibles plans to add trading card game supplies to their store this spring as well. The shop will be owned by brother Daeden & Dillon Beck according to state records. Look for them to open on December 19th!  Crumbl Cookies is planning a new location in Meriden! The national cookie chain has leased the current GameStop space at Townline Square Shopping Center at 533 South Broad Street in Meriden! The shop will occupy 1,764 square feet according to a lease plan released by TrueCRE. No timeline has been announced for the cookie chain's construction or opening. The future of GameStop has not been announced; whether they will relocate or close entirely. The Meriden shop will mark the 11th Connecticut location including in Manchester, West Hartford, Avon, Waterbury, North Haven, Milford, Shelton, Danbury, Fairfield, and Stamford. The Townline Square Shopping Center has seen numerous opening in the past years including Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, Bubbakoo's Burritos, Carter's, and others.  See the full lease plan here: https://truecre.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/true_Meriden-CT_533-South-Broad-Street-7.pdf
A new tavern has opened in Middletown! Sol House Tavern is NOW OPEN at 670 Newfield Street in Middletown; replacing Relish 670 Bar & Cookhouse. The restaurant recently opened their doors, bringing tavern vibes to Middletown. The new tavern features salads, pastas, parm crusted cod, hanger steaks, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and some craveworthy appetizers make for sharing! Try their bacon bourbon mussels, chicken wings, buffalo califlower, calamari, and many others. Their cuisine is described as Bold Bites-American Food with a twist. Customers we talked to while on-site raved about the food, saying they came stopped in for lunch and decided to come back for dinner! Stop in and try them out! They are still waiting for their liquor license to be approved, but they have a refreshing mocktail menu in the meantime! Find them at 670 Newfield Street in Middletown and online at https://solhousetavern.com/ They are open: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-9:00pm Friday & Saturday 11:30am-9:30pm Sunday 11:30am-8:00pm  
A brand-new wellness + community hub is coming to River Street in Milford!
Amaecollective & AT Sangha Yoga are coming soon to the brand-new Metro Star building right off the train station (44–46 River Street). The development includes ground-floor retail, modern apartments, and free underground parking. The Grand Opening of Amae Collective + AT Sangha Yoga is planned for January 3rd, 2026 (pending final approvals). Here’s what’s coming to downtown Milford: • Amae Collective Boutique – intention-based jewelry, gifts, ritual items, cool clothes and more! • AT Sangha Yoga Studio – flow, yin, restorative, aerial, hiking yoga + special classes. live cello and yoga just to name a few. • Healing Arts Rooms – massage, therapy, and hopefully an aesthetician • Ritual + Wellness Events – sound baths, live-music yoga, circles, workshops • A local maker marketplace supporting small artisans The owners home to create a warm, welcoming space where Milford can move, breathe, shop, connect, and feel supported — something uplifting for the entire community as River Street continues to grow. A number of new retailers have opened at Westfarms! -FP Movement is NOW OPEN on the second level near Nordstrom, next door to their sister store Free People. FP Movement is your destination for stylish activewear and accessories; focusing on free-spirited wellness. -HobbyTown Toys is NOW OPEN on the first level next to Sbarro. The new toy shop has an expansive selection of games, toys, RC cars-trucks-boats, educational gifts, and much more! -Xtreme Concepts is NOW OPEN on the first level near JCPenney. The new store combined style, culture, and innovation. Stop in to find the latest sneaker style and products. You’ll find everything from the iconic classics to the newest releases from all the major players & top brands. These newest additions join other recent openings including gorjana, Jamba, Pink Petal Bakery & Cafe, Zumiez, the relocation & expansion of Free People, and many others. What would you like to see open at Westfarms next? Comment below! 
The State of CT has approved Hartford Healthcare's plan to purchase of Manchester Memorial Hospital & Rockville General!
Connecticut's Office of Health Strategy approved Hartford Healthcare's 'Emergency Certificate of Need' to purchase the Manchester Memorial Hospital, Rockville General (a satellite campus of MMH), and other ECHN facilities throughout the Northeast of CT. Under the approval, Hartford Healthcare must provide an initial assessment of the conditions in the hospital within 9 months, work with the community for local needs, and maintain services at both facilities at the same levels as before the purchase. Furthermore 24-hour emergency services will need to be maintained at Rockville General for at least 3 years; and maintain behavior health services with 30 miles of the Rockville facility. The sale could close before the end of the year. The state approval was a key step in finalizing the deal. The purchase marks the end of a tumultuous sales process that resulted in lawsuits with Yale, bankruptcy, cyber-attacks, and finally Hartford Healthcare buying ECHN. 
A new Pan Asian restaurant is coming soon to Meriden! Daisuki Ran Pan Asian Restaurant coming soon to the former Avanti Restaurant / Fox Osteria space at 34 River Road in Meriden. The new restaurant is expected to open this Spring! The restaurant is expected to bring a plethora of Asian cuisines to the space including a blending of flavors from major Asian countries. An exact menu has not been released yet. Follow their Instagram for more information on their opening. Find their page here: https://www.instagram.com/daisuki.ran/ The restaurant will occupy the space of Fox Osteria, a short-lived restaurant from the Red Fox restaurant group. Red Fox purchased the building in November 2024 for $405,000 and opened Fox Osteria shortly after. Fox Osteria closed this summer.  HARTFORD SCOOP: Make sure to visit Pratt Street in Downtown Hartford this holiday season!12/11/2025 Another entry into our journey to Christmas-y places in Connecticut, we are visiting Pratt Street in Hartford! Don’t miss their wintery events this week, more info below! The pedestrian shopping and dining district in Hartford has been transformed into a Hallmark village! Shop their amazing shops this holiday season including Hartford Prints!, Gentle Bull Shop, Rundown, Capital Spirits, and others. Dine at their selection of restaurants and bars including: Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlour, Urban Lodge Brewing, Sunberry Restaurant And Bar, Vaughan's Public House, and others. Stop by this Friday (12/12) for their Hallmark Holiday Sip & Shop from 4pm-8pm. Enjoy $10 cocktail specials and shop their 10+ shops! Stop by this Saturday & Sunday (12/13-14) for their Winter Village Holiday Market from 11am-4pm! Shop small businesses including pop-up vendors, Pratt Street’s 10+ local shops, and many restaurants. Enjoy free family friendly activities and food/drink specials. 
A new Vietnamese restaurant is opening in Meriden! Boba & Beans will be opening their doors tomorrow, 12/11, at 55 West Main Street in Meriden! The new Vietnamese restaurant is located across the street from the Courthouse. The restaurant will serve authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi; a delicious sandwich featuring a crunchy baguette, fresh herbs, savory filings, and a house-made sauce! Boba & Beans also serves milk teas, boba, fresh fruit teas, coffee, and much more! Find them at 55 West Main Street in Meriden!  A new dining option is coming soon to Blue Back Square in West Hartford! Nana's Dim Sum & Dumplings is coming soon to 111 Memorial Road in West Hartford; the former Gran Gusto / Rizzuto's space at Blue Back Square. The restaurant will serve traditional Chinese dim sum and dumplings. Dim sum is a variety of small plates made for sharing at the table. The restaurant will serve a wide range of dumplings with various filings along with bao, Chinese entrees, and much more. Find their full menu here: https://nanasdimsumanddumplings.com/food-menu The future restaurant location is listed on Nana's Dim Sum & Dumpling's website; and updated lease plans from Brand Street (the center's leasing broker) confirm the location. Nana's currently has 6 locations in Colorado and 1 location in New York. They have additional locations coming soon in New Jersey, New York. and Colorado. Stay tuned for more details on their opening! 
Chipotle has set the opening date of their new Colchester location!
The new fast-casual Mexican grill will open their doors on Wednesday, December 10th! The new location will feature a dining room, patio, and Chipotlane; a mobile order drive thru pick-up window. The new Colchester location can be found at 131 Linwood Avenue. The new location created 30 new jobs with competetive benefits! Some deals for December at Chipotle! -Try their new “Build-Your-Own-Chipotle meal. The new offering serves four to six people and guests can enjoy $10 off their first "Build-Your-Own Chipotle" order with code TRYBYOC* through the end of the year. -Chipotle is offering in-restaurant BOGO entrée offers on the first three Saturdays of December from 4 p.m. to close. Rewards Members will also receive extra treats like free chips, guac, double protein or a free drink throughout the month. Find them at 131 Linwood Avenue in Colchester! They are open daily from 10:45am to 10:00pm 
Shake Shack will officially open their new Cheshire location on Wednesday, December 10th!
The new burger shop is located at 2053 Highland Avenue in Cheshire, part of the new The Shops at Stone Bridge development. Shack Shake will open their doors at 10:30am on Wednesday; making it the 9th CT location for the chain! Shake Shack is a fast-casual restaurant serving burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, fries, and a variety of milkshakes. They got their start in New York City in 2004; expanding to over 350 locations in the subsequent 20+ years. Check them out on Wednesday! 
Ciao Cafe, an Italian-American eatery, has set their opening date in Rocky Hill! Ciao Cafe will open on Saturday, December 13th, in the former Michel Angelos space at 825 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill! Don’t miss a special visit from Vito Spatafore from The Sopranos who will be signing cook books and taking photos on opening day! The new restaurant features New York style pizza & slices, an espresso bar, Italian-style grinders, pastries breakfast sandwiches, desserts, and much more! They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The interior has received an intensive makeover; with a dining area and lounge for customer to enjoy their food. The bar has been replaced with ‘The Office’ a space for people to bring their laptop and work while enjoying their food. The new restaurant is owned by Rocky Hill residents Marina & Vincent Carone. The Carones are no stranger to Rocky Hill business; Vincent was previously involved in Sweets by Jenna, Cousins Barbershop, Tavern on 3, and others. Find them at 825 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill or online at https://ciaocafect.com Their typical hours will be: Monday through Friday 7am–6pm Saturday 8am–6pm Sunday 8am–2pm  
Cookshop Plus will be closing their doors in West Hartford after 10 years! The kitchenware store will be permanently closing their doors at the end of January 2026. Cookshop Plus is located at 58-60 LaSalle Road in West Hartford. The store opened in 2015 and relocated to a larger space in 2019. The store sold kitchen & bakeware inclining pots, pans, baking sheets, kitchen gadgets, and anything you could ever need when cooking. Cookshop Plus also offers cooking classes; these will continue through the end of 2025. Find them at 58-60 LaSalle Road in WeHa or online at https://www.cookshopplus.com  The Gingerbread Bar is NOW OPEN at Mohegan Sun for the holiday season! The new holiday pop-up bar is located in the Sky Tower lobby. Stop in for a magical pop-up bar full of warmth, magic, and endless holiday fun. Sip on festive spirits and holiday-inspired cocktails while sitting by the fireplace with friends. Just resist the temptation to nibble on the gingerbread decor! Try their signature drinks including Gingerbread Martini. Patridge in a Pear Tree, Berry Christmas Eggnog. Winter Wonderland Mimosa. Rudolph's Rush, Fireside Margarita, and Holly Jolly Citrus Christmas. You’ll also find a selection of delicious gingerbread cookies! The Gingerbread Bar is open December 4th through January 4th! The bar’s hours will be: Monday through Thursday 4pm-10pm Friday 4pm-12am Saturday 12pm-12am Sunday 12pm-8pm 
Photo Credit: Lisa Nichols, Bread & Beast
Coracora will open their new West Hartford location at Blue Back Square on December 10th!
The new restaurant is located at Blue Back Square, replacing the short-lived Rosa Mexicano restaurant. The award-winning Peruvian restaurant serves Ceviche, Chaufa, soups, starters, and much more! Everything is made in-house and without artificial preservatives. Coracora serves their clientele based on three main pillars: -High Quality Ingredients! -A warm & welcoming family-like experience! -The best customer service! What’s next for their original location? Coracora at 162 Shield Street in West Hartford will remain open; but will soon transition to an updated concept. The fast-casual Coracora will focus on Peruvian chicken and other Peruvian comfort foods. Find them at 51 Isham Road in West Hartford The soft-opening hours are: Wednesday through Friday 5pm to 11pm Saturday & Sunday 11am-11pm Grand Opening is planned for Janaury! Continuing our journey to Christmas-y towns in Connecticut, we visited Historic Wethersfield! The old part of town is all decked out in Christmas lights and garland! The town is very walkable with brick paver sidewalks connecting the local businesses and museums. The town is home to many amazing local businesses to go your holiday shopping including, but not limited to, Birdie's Toys, Cottonwood + Church, Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre, Old Wethersfield Country Store, Neill Walsh Goldsmiths Fine Jewelry, The Blackbird House, Trinkets & Troll, and many more! Stay for dinner and dessert at The Charles, Lucky Lou's Bar & Grill, Main Street Creamery & Cafe, Village Pizza of Old Wethersfield, Noci Gelato, and many other amazing spots! What are some more beautiful towns to visit this holiday season? Comment below? 
We are getting our first look at the new Sally's Apizza coming soon to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket!
The new pizza shop open in the Great Cedar Concourse; replacing the current California Pizza Kitchen space. The new forward-looking pizza shop will feature a new upscale look with luxury finishes and CT-based memorabilia of notable Connecticut residents like The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards and Marilyn Monroe. The new restaurant will seat about 200 guests; taking elements from their original Wooster Street location to create a new 'Next-Level Interior Design.' California Pizza Kitchen will permanently close on January 4th, 2026 for construction to begin on Sally's. Sally's Apizza is planning to open many new locations over the next years including in South Windsor, Norwalk, Newington, Danbury, and many others. 
Trader Joe's will officially open the doors of their new Shelton location on Monday, December 8th at 9am!
The new store is located at 801 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton, part of the Fountain Square development. The store will host a ribbon cutting ceremony starting at 8:55am with the store officially opening at 9am! The store will be open daily from 9am to 9pm! The retailer will soon welcome an additional CT location in Hamden; though an exact opening date has not been announced for that location. |
Towns |
Company |
|